OG Kush
OG Kush is the genetic backbone of West Coast cannabis, and its descendants fill much of any modern menu. Its story begins in the early 1990s with Florida grower Matt Berger, known as Bubba, who brought the cut to Los Angeles, where Josh D grew it out and made it famous. The lineage is usually given as Chemdawg crossed with Hindu Kush, a mountain landrace carried west by Hippie Trail travelers, often with Lemon Thai in the mix, though the exact parents remain disputed. So does the name: Ocean Grown and Original Gangster both have backers. Its lemon, pine and fuel nose became a benchmark. People commonly describe a sociable, giggly lift that deepens into heavy, contented calm and drowsiness. GSC, Headband and Bubba Kush all trace back to it.
- Type
- Indica-Dominant Hybrid
- Dominant terpene
- Myrcene
Effects
Onset & progression
Effects begin 2-5 minutes after inhalation with cerebral onset in head and face; initial pressure relief around temples and behind eyes develops into euphoric lift and unfocused happiness; progresses from heady beginning into increasing body awareness over 15-30 minutes; warming, tingling sensation spreads through shoulders, back, limbs; body component intensifies during peak with weighted or melting feeling promoting deep muscle relaxation
Duration
2-3 hours total duration for inhalation methods; peak effects occur 30-45 minutes after consumption; gradual tapering over following 1-2 hours; edible consumption: 45-90 minute onset, 4-6+ hour duration
Common effects
Mental: euphoria, elevated mood, giggles, sociability, hazy/unfocused state, introspection at higher doses; Physical: pronounced body relaxation, reduced muscle tension, physical heaviness, couch-lock at moderate-high doses, sedation; Sensory: enhanced music appreciation, tactile sensation enhancement; appetite stimulation (munchies) pronounced during peak; experience shifts from uplifted sociability to quiet contentment and eventual drowsiness
Potential adverse effects
Dry mouth (very common); dry eyes (common); mild dizziness (occasional); slight paranoia at higher doses or with lower tolerance; sedation makes operating vehicles/machinery inadvisable; some report mental fog or unfocused thinking
Ideal occasions
Evening wind-down after demanding days; social gatherings (low-key, casual); creative exploration and art appreciation; music listening sessions; appetite support (consume 30-60 minutes before meals); sleep preparation (1-2 hours before bed); lazy weekend days; pain relief and recovery periods
Not recommended for
Early morning when alertness needed; active outdoor adventures; work hours requiring focus and productivity; driving or operating equipment; situations requiring concentration or detailed mental work; high-energy social events requiring stamina
Terpenes
Dominant terpenes
Myrcene (most abundant - 25-33%; earthy, musky, herbal, lemongrass-like); Limonene (20-25%; citrus brightness, lemon-peel sharpness); Beta-Caryophyllene (15-21%; spicy, peppery, woodsy warmth)
Secondary terpenes
Linalool (floral, lavender-like); Beta-Pinene (fresh pine, evergreen); Nerolidol; Terpineol; Fenchol; Humulene (all in trace amounts contributing subtle complexity)
Cannabinoid profile
THC: 18-26% (average 20-22%); CBD: <1% (typically 0.1-0.3%); trace amounts of CBG, THCV, CBN, CBC; high-potency strain with THC-driven psychoactive profile and minimal CBD modulation; exact content varies significantly by cultivator, phenotype, harvest timing, and storage
Lineage
Lineage & origins
Emerged early 1990s through collaboration between Matt 'Bubba' Berger (Florida) and Josh Del Rosso (Los Angeles); genetic lineage commonly attributed to Chemdawg × Hindu Kush, with some sources including Lemon Thai and Northern California genetics; Hindu Kush genetics arrived via Hippie Trail travelers in 1960s-70s from Afghan-Pakistani border region; Josh D preserved and distributed the original 'Kryptonite' cutting in LA, where it gained legendary status by late 1990s; reached California's Emerald Triangle by 2004
Genetics & phenotypes
Indica-dominant hybrid with moderate height and dense bud formation; notable phenotypic variation exists across different cultivators; major phenotypes include Classic OG Kush (Josh D Cut - original clone-only), San Fernando Valley OG (citrus-forward, shorter flowering), Tahoe OG (denser buds, enhanced lemon notes, more sedative), and Triangle Kush (Florida sister strain with shared parent stock); selection criteria: bright orange pistils, forest-green buds, thick crystalline trichomes, tight dense structure, strong pungent aroma
Comparable strains
Tahoe OG (direct phenotype, more indica-forward, enhanced lemon, denser buds, better evening use); SFV OG (phenotype, more sativa-leaning, sharper citrus-pine, less fuel, daytime functional); Triangle Kush (sister strain, Florida origins, more pungent/skunky, heavier/sedating, excellent for hash); Skywalker OG (OG Kush × Skywalker, sweeter candy-like notes, balanced effects, stress relief); Ghost OG (OG Kush clone-only cut, smoother smoke, enhanced citrus, cleaner mental experience)
Growing
Flowering time
Indoor: 8-9 weeks (56-63 days) from 12/12 flip; some phenotypes extend to 9-10 weeks; outdoor: early to mid-October harvest in Northern Hemisphere
Plant structure
Medium height; bushy, indica-typical structure; vigorous lateral branching requiring pruning/training; responds well to topping, LST, SCROG methods; dense bud structure; requires careful airflow management
Resilience
Moderate difficulty; susceptible to powdery mildew; requires specific environmental conditions (70-80°F veg, 65-75°F flower); humidity needs: 50-60% veg, reduce to 30-40% flower; handles cooler nighttime temps well; heavy feeder requiring above-average nutrients especially calcium and magnesium; challenging for beginners but rewarding when conditions optimized
Yield potential
Indoor: 450-475g/m² (15-17 oz) under optimal conditions; outdoor: 500-550g (17-20 oz) per plant; training methods can increase yields 15-20%
Quality indicators
Extremely dense, compact buds with substantial weight; thick layer of milky-white trichomes creating frosty crystalline appearance; bright orange pistils prominently visible; deep forest-green base color with occasional purple undertones; minimal stem weight relative to flower; properly cured with sticky texture (not wet or crumbly); intensely pungent lemon-pine-fuel aroma immediately evident upon opening container
Batch variability exists - cannabinoid and terpene profiles vary significantly between cultivators, phenotypes, harvest timing, and curing methods; always request current Certificate of Analysis (COA) for specific products; individual variation in effects based on body chemistry, tolerance, consumption method, dosage, setting, and recent food intake; start low and go slow with high-THC strains; intended for adults of legal age in jurisdictions where cannabis is legal; not medical advice - consult healthcare professionals for health-related cannabis use; statements not evaluated by FDA; profiles evolve as cultivation advances and new phenotypes emerge